As snow falls, North Lincolnshire's new gritters are ready to roll
Council highways bosses are confident they are ready to keep the region moving this winter.
Saturday saw the first snow of the winter in North Lincolnshire.
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PREPARED: Rob Beales, head of highways at North Lincolnshire Council, with one of the new spray back packs and gritters.
But the early cold snap failed to catch out North Lincolnshire Council, which is responsible for gritting 'A' roads and some 'B' routes.
Having formulated its plans in good time, its teams were ready to respond.
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The authority has taken delivery of 6,000 tonnes of salt for gritting the roads over the winter.
Two new gritter lorries have been purchased to replace older vehicles, while quad bikes and snow blowers will again be used if necessary.
This year, council workers will also use backpacks filled with an as-yet-unspecified liquid substance to clear snow in pedestrianised areas.
Appointed snow wardens will again co-ordinate efforts in each parish in the event of snow.
Councillor Nigel Sherwood, cabinet member for highways and neighbourhoods, said: "We have got to try to learn from things that have happened in the past.
"We have got the quad bikes ready and we have got packs that workers can put on their backs and spray liquid, as opposed to salt.
"Quad bikes can get to most places and it gives us a little bit more scope.
"If you have got someone walking with a pack on their back, they will be able to reach areas that the quad bikes can't.
"It covers all bases and we will be using the packs mostly in pedestrian areas."
Mr Sherwood said: "When the temperature drops below a certain level and the forecast says it is going to drop, the gritters will go out.
"They work 24/7 and they can go out at any time."
The council introduced a system of parish snow wardens last year. It also compiled a list of around 150 people with machinery that can be used to clear snow.
The measures came as a result of a winter maintenance review, following record levels of snowfall in 2010-11.
Councillor Nigel Sherwood, cabinet member for highways and neighbourhoods, stressed this morning that all had gone to plan.
"Everything was all set up," he said.
The council's highways said salting of the precautionary network was carried out between 3am and 6am this morning.
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